Most In-Demand Tech Skills for 2018

With the rapid pace of technological advancement, a growing number of businesses are looking for everyone from contract workers to freelancers to fulltime hires with existing and new technological skills. That’s why, if you’re thinking about getting a new job or gig, it’s wise to know what the most in-demand skills are so you can invest in upskilling if necessary. Here’s what you need to know about some of the most sought-after tech skills.

Virtual reality: Virtual reality developers create virtual worlds for a variety of purposes ranging from entertainment to commerce to mission-critical training. There are currently no predetermined requirements for VR developers and many are self-taught. However, as a rule of thumb, if you have a solid background in C++ and C#, you’ll be better equipped to use the VR development programs Unreal and Unity 3d. You can also take an online course, for example at Lynda.com or a workshop at a college in your area. According to Glassdoor, the national average for a virtual reality specialist is $50,568 per year.

Java: Java developers create dynamic applications for apps and websites. With the ever-growing number of apps being designed, they remain in high demand. While many Java developers have a BS in computer science, you can also learn Java at an online boot camp, or you can even teach yourself. PayScale states that on average, a Java developer earns $62,761 per year, but that salary can be much higher depending on the company and the type of projects you work on.

Natural language processing (NLP): NLP specialists help create applications that allow computers to understand and generate human language. Think of chatbots, as well as personal assistants like Alexa and Siri. To become an NLP specialist, you’ll need a solid background in data science and you’ll need to follow an NLP course at a college, bootcamp or online. On average, an NLP expert can expect to earn approximately $100,000 per year.